Thomson, John Hughes 1928 - 2017

THOMSON, HUGHES, BAKER, SOLIE, QUINN, BOYD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/7/2017 at 13:06:53

Jack Thomson, 88 of Cresco, Iowa passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco, Iowa.

John (Jack) Hughes Thomson was born May 21, 1928 to John Perce and Myrl (Hughes) Thomson in Cresco, Iowa. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1946 and went on to attend the University of Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa with an economics degree. While at Iowa, he spent four years in the ROTC and received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant. After graduating from Iowa in 1950, he traveled to Texas and worked at Pacific Finance Company while also teaching dance at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio. He was called to active duty and served 2 years in the infantry. He was responsible for the weapons platoon, on the front lines of the Korean War for a 6 months. In 1953, he returned home to the family banking business that, at the time, was run by two Thomson families. He joined his father, Perce, his Uncle Art, and Art's son Jean at the Cresco Union Savings Bank. He started in the back room, sorting and posting, then working as a Teller and making an occasional installment loan. He was a Scout Master of troop 63, he was proud of the five Eagle Scouts in his troop.

In 1958, he married Frances Jo Baker from Decorah, IA. To that union one son, John Scott Thomson was born in 1960.

Jack was one of the founding members of the Cresco Industrial Development Corporation and led the committee to secure the new Donaldson plant in Cresco in 1966. In 1970, he purchased a majority share interest in Cresco Union Savings Bank. He served as president of CUSB from 1970-1980, while also being the CEO from 1970 until the time of his death. He and Dale Turnmire, Executive Director of the CIDC went to Grand Meadow, Minnesota and talked with Featherlite Trailers owner, Conrad Clement about moving his corporate office to Cresco. A deal was done and Featherlite moved their corporate office to Cresco in 1994. In the 90's, at a town hall meeting (in the then CUSB Annex) he offered to pay half the cost of a new indoor pool if the community would match the other half. In December 1997, the Cresco Fitness Center and the Thomson Pool opened. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Community Service Award. He was active in numerous state and community committees such as the Cresco Theatre Commission, the Cresco VFW, Cresco Kiwanis, Cresco Chamber of Commerce, Cresco Country Club. He was one of the founding members of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation and went on to become the state representative for the foundation.

Dale Turnmire, former CIDC Executive Director and golfing partner for over 60 years says, "Those that truly knew Jack knew him to be a tireless supporter of Cresco both in personal endeavors and also his financial investment in the community which we all were the beneficiaries of."

He enjoyed golfing, fishing, skiing, traveling the world with his wife, Frannie, and spending time with good friends. He loved spending time with Scott's family and watching his grandchildren excel in the classroom and in athletics.

He is survived by his son, John Scott and wife Stephanie of Cresco and their children Samantha Scott Thomson of Raleigh, N.C., John Steven Thomson of Cedar Falls, IA and William Ian Thomson of Cresco, IA; a nephew, Guy Thomson (Mindy) Solie of Durham, N.C. and their three adult children, John Thomson (Ashleigh) Solie and their daughter Lucy, Laura (Chad) Quinn, and Sam Solie.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Frances Joe Thomson, sister Mary Thomson Solie, and niece, Susan Solie Boyd.

A special thank you to the Evans Memorial Home and his at-home care givers and friends Jean Eldridge, Kenny Solomon, and Julie and Kevin Munkel who took such good care of him these last few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation, The United Methodist Church or HOCA.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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